The wedding of Jessica and Alex on Saturday October 15th, 2011 at St. Colman’s Church and the Union Club in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. All photos by Hunter Harrison of Hunter Photographic, a Cleveland wedding photographer. More on the web at www.HunterPhotographic.com.

Not long after, another of our teams had the good fortune of working with him *again* on New Year’s Eve at Tricia and Todd’s wedding reception at Avon Oaks Country Club. Twice in one season with a photographer is somewhat of an unusual occurrence, just based on the number of wedding photographers and disc jockeys in the area, so I took it as a hint from the universe to get him on the blog ASAP! 😉

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Image by Hunter Photographic.

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Like all wedding professionals featured on the Something New Entertainment blog, Hunter appears by virtue of and as a testament to his talent as well as to his great personality. Here’s what the Something New Entertainment staff loves about Hunter: is organized, professional, friendly, and his work has a very “clean,” modern style to it that you’ll immediately recognize.

Enough prologue! On with the interview!

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Image by Hunter Photographic.

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Something New Entertainment’s DJ Anna-Jeannine “DJ AJ9” Herman: What first interested you in photography?
Hunter Photographic’s Hunter Harrison: I picked up photography at a very young age. My father was kind enough to gift me a really old Nikon SLR camera. Thereafter, I really could not get enough of photography. For the longest time, it was my oldest and most dear hobby. Photography is deeply personal to me and it has always been something I turn to purely for enjoyment. As time went on, it only made sense to turn my personal passion into my career as well.

Image by Hunter Photographic.

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DJ AJ9: How long have you been photographing weddings?
HH: For a little over four years, but things have really taken off in the past couple years. After some early hard work, I was able to leave my previous career and focus solely on photography. Looking forward, we see nothing but great things on the horizon. I’m really excited for what the future holds.

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Image by Hunter Photographic.

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DJ AJ9: How would you describe your photographic style?HH: I have a bright and romantic editorial style. For my clients, I aim to capture photos that are emotionally driven. I really want photos that are both organic, but romantic was well. More generally, I blend photojournalism and fine-art portraiture to create an editorial style similar to what you would see in magazines.

Image by Hunter Photographic.

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DJ AJ9: What do you enjoy most about being a wedding photographer?HH: Simply put, happiness. I have blessed to work with couples during the happiest period of their lives together. I have the most extraordinary and endearing clients you could imagine. Their happiness rubs off on me and really makes my entire life that much more worthwhile.

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Image by Hunter Photographic.

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DJ AJ9: What is the most important consideration couples should make when hiring a photographer for their wedding?HH: Strangely enough, it’s not the photographers style, although that is important too. A good personality match is most important for me. I believe couples should find a professional photographer with a great personality. After all, the photographer will be the couples shadow throughout the entire day. The photographer must also directly interact with the family and guests. Having a friendly person to work with really makes the difference. Second and third considerations would be experience and photographic style.

Image by Hunter Photographic.

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DJ AJ9: What are some ways couples can prepare for their wedding to help ensure better photos?HH: Talk to their photographer and listen. Take time with the photographer weeks before the wedding to complete a good plan. Make sure to express your desires regarding the photographs. Give the photographer specifics about what you want, but also general themes. For example, a theme of “intimate romance” or “fast-paced energy”. A good photographer will know how to translate these themes into great results. Also critically important – listen to your photographer. A professional photographer will have a good sense of timing, style and execution. The couple is paying for the photographer’s experience, so be willing to trust and listen. This is why I always include unlimited planning time. Clients know that I am always here as a resource.

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The wedding of Jessica and Alex on Saturday October 15th, 2011 at St. Colman’s Church and the Union Club in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. All photos by Hunter Harrison of Hunter Photographic, a Cleveland wedding photographer. More on the web at www.HunterPhotographic.com.

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DJ AJ9: What’s your favorite must capture moment during the wedding day?HH: Leaving aside the obvious moments, there are a couple I really look for. The first is an honest and peaceful moment between the couple. Something natural and not posed. The other is a look of pride from the parents. A wedding is a big day for the parents as well, and I want to make sure their joy and pride is captured as well.

Image by Hunter Photographic.

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DJ AJ9: What’s the question I’m not asking you but you wish I would, or What’s the question that clients usually don’t ask you but you wish they would?HH: I never get asked about photo editing. For example, how I select the final photographs from all the ones captured at a wedding. Being able to pick the best work is as important as knowing when to press the trigger. A simple way for couples to learn about a photographer’s editing skill is to request access to a full wedding gallery. A single wedding gallery should demonstrate skill, consistency, emotion, and a progression of the wedding story. I’m always willing to show complete weddings and wish couples would ask more. Generally, I volunteer to show my work.

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Image by Hunter Photographic.

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DJ AJ9: What do you look for in a great DJ and what are your DJ pet peeves? How can your DJ “co-workers” help you, hurt you, or irritate you throughout the day?HH: A great DJ:

Brings the mic to the Best Man/Maid of Honor and encourages them to stand beside the couple for the toast. This allows for great eye contact during the toast, a photographically clean image, and limits stereo system feedback.

Can get open dancing started with a bang and keeps people on the dance floor

Is painfully polite and professional

Understands that the MC and photographer must work in tandem during the reception and takes a moment to review the schedule with the photographer. Also, helps to spot changes and keeps photographer informed.

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Image by Hunter Photographic.

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HH: DJ pet-peeves:

Over the microphone – “It’s time for the cake-cutting. Grab your cameras and get a picture of the happy couple”, with no mention of the photographer. I’ve lost a few shots because of this in the past.

Overly talkative on the mic or creates a sense that the DJ is the show. Even worse, rudeness of any kind (but this is just my personal taste).

Changes in schedule without a head’s up to the photographer. I almost missed a first dance because of this. We got it, but I was none to happy. It’s really easy – just look to see the photographer is in the room before starting an important “tradition” moment. The photographer can then handle it from there.

Truthfully, I always take a moment to check in with the DJs when I see them. I definitely have a responsibility to be nice and help as well. We are all busy professionals with different needs and goals. If we all help, then everything goes great for the couple.

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The wedding of Jessica and Alex on Saturday October 15th, 2011 at St. Colman’s Church and the Union Club in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. All photos by Hunter Harrison of Hunter Photographic, a Cleveland wedding photographer. More on the web at www.HunterPhotographic.com.

Hunter Harrison of Hunter Photographic

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About Hunter Harrison: My name is Hunter Harrison and I’m a passionate lifestyle wedding photographer. Other fun facts? My wife is Brooke, our dog is Moxie, I have a serious addiction to auto racing, and a crippling phobia of tomatoes.

About Hunter Phoographic: Our philosophy is to provide personal service and treat all clients as close friends. Our aesthetic is a mixture of photojournalism and fine-art portraiture, with a focus on romantic, organic and absolutely timeless imagery. To achieve this aesthetic, we use a mixture of digital, film and polaroid cameras. Our work has been published in The Knot Magazine (Ohio), Professional Photographer magazine and on blogs such as Navy & Lavender Notes.